Montgomery Barracks, Berlin

In 1948,I was serving in the 1st Batt.Worcs.reg.stationed in Montgomery Barracks,Berlin. Does anyone remember two very large artillery pieces which protruded over the perimeter fence. I have clear memories of using the barrels of these to slide back into barracks,having missed the last transport from Reichkanzlerplatz and having scrounged a lift back.The Airlift was operating at the time and the battalion were leaving by air for a new location at Gottingen early one morning, and I just managed to get back in time to dash to the assembly parade. Those big guns saved my Bacon !! Are they still there ??

Ehehehe...I am sure you were not the only one to gain access back into barracks in this manner. I'm guessing those barrels probably had a high sheen to them from so many squaddies butts sliding down them!!

When I returned to Soest in '73 to work for a German company, I lived across the road from the Belgian Kaserne on the southside of town, not far from the (by then) British Married Quarters...Adam Kaserne, I think.

My windows overlooked the backend of Kaserne and I'd often see....well...the backend of Belgique soldiers scrambling through a shrubbery-concealed hole in the fence then sprinting, heads down, to the barracks. Or did for awhile until the hole was resealed. Got bit of a chuckle out of the first few fellows who headed for the hole only to find it fixed and inaccessible!!

One fellow I was somewhat friendly with told me he was one of them and had to then walk the length of the perimeter and up around to the main gate (bit of a hike) and of course was even more past curfew than he originally was....he was confined to barracks for, I think, 2 or 3 weeks or some such. Not sure what the repercussions for being late were....

I recall our visits to the city by the battalion truck,which dropped us off by the Jerboa centre in Reichkanzlerplatz. We used to walk down the road to Witzleben Sbahn passing the Russian radio station and war memorial on the way. The Sbahn used to take us through Jungfernheide and we finished at Wedding in the French sector where we were regulars in The Cafe Pioch.What nights we had there, unfortunately,I could never remember the morning after ! The big problem was getting back to Montgomery Bks which was a couple of miles past Gatow airfield as we usually missed transport back !..Some happy days living on Spam and Pom every day !

I returned to Berlin in Jan.2009 with my grandson and I could not recognise the place ! It has been transformed from rubble to a very efficient city. The one thing that I'd forgotten was how cold it was in Winter (- 21* C). Montgomery Barracks is now derelict in the old Russian half,but looks very smart in our old half now occupied by a German Regiment !

Nice to read your letter Stephen !

I must agree folks with Mortarman on his comments about Berlin.It is a beautiful city and oh how it has expanded.I looked at Montgomery Bks on the Google Maps and yes it is still a
lovely area that the Barracks is in.Kladow to be precise.Remember going down to the Havel and enjoying the drinking and speaking to the Berliners who I might add told us some facinating stories.Going up to RAF Gatow for the cinema,picking up the newspapers from TOC H.This was 1969/70.The Rocking Horses frequently driving to pre arranged spots around the garrison to prevent the Russians from taking over.Guarding Hess in Spandau Prison.Visiting the various drinking establishments around the city.The Allied Forces Day parade with the French and Americans down the 17th Juni Strasse.Great memories folks.

[quote="rucjock21"]This was 1969/70.The Rocking Horses frequently driving to pre arranged spots around the garrison to prevent the Russians from taking over.

Elaborate, bitte !

Quick train for us Plebs!

Rocking Horse as Shelldrake says was Quick Train in the zone. It would have not mattered one bit about the Ruskies invading Berlin. We as a Brigade, were written off anyway.We would not have stood a chance against the massive hoards of Soviet troops coming over.I'm glad that they had seen sense though, when us Jocks get drunk we mean business. That is why they gave up Germany and pulled back tae their ain borders.

My father was stationed at Montgomery Bks from 73-76 with 1st BN, Para. We first lived in quarters off of Contessaweg, then moved to Kladowerstrasser just to the side of the Barracks. I remember there being a series of housing trailers along the fence line towards the main gate and a German bunker located there (Hexagon in shape, top blown off and filled in with a large raised area covered with grass towards the main road. Upon entering the gate taking an immediate right took you past the post office on the left and the NAFFI was located on the bottom floor of a 2-story bldg directly ahead and slightly right along the fence-line.
My father worked in the Cpl's Mess which was located in a basement area similar to the picture of the Officers Mess, the Post Theater which was located on the 2nd floor of one of the bldgs, and also the Theater at Gatow. I don't remember any married personnel living on-post, since there was new construction across the street from the main gate (Multi-Story Bldgs)
My Mother worked in the Officers Mess over in Spandau (She was an American citizen).

Old film with the Vikings /Angle Irons) in Montgomery Bks 1961

http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/205037 wearing battle dress (BD) 

http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/218211

Pborn4 wrote:

Old film with the Vikings /Angle Irons) in Montgomery Bks 1961
wearing battle dress (BD)

Great video, Patrick. Thanks for posting it.

Cheers,
Dan.

the link is not working anymore ??

I went to East Anglia Film Archive at EAFA.org.uk
and on the opening page went to search for: "205037"

and this gave me:

Showing results 1 - 2 of 2




Encircled Force (part one)
1961, Berlin, Germany (Other)

The responsibilities of serving in West Berlin for East Anglian troops.

Add to my favourites
Cat no. 205037

0:12:17

Black and White, sound


Encircled Force (part two)
1961, Berlin, Germany (Other)

An Anglia Television film narrated by John McGregor, reporting on the life of East Anglian military families in Berlin, and also the Queen's Birthday Parade Trooping the Colour ceremony at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

Add to my favourites
Cat no. 218211

0:13:30

Black and White, sound

it works, thank you

Wolfgang